Week 9 QB Power Rankings: Familiar name returns to No. 1, Cam Ward crawls out of basement

Quarterbacks are the most vital position in football. After all, they're the highest-paid players, and the past 13 NFL MVP award winners are, that's right, quarterbacks. While some quarterbacks are a byproduct of their offensive ecosystems, a select few elevate above their current circumstances to the ranks of the elite. 

These rankings are fluid and designed to tell the story of each starting quarterback's respective rise and/or fall throughout the season. That's why some quarterbacks in this week's rankings rose as many as seven spots or fell as many as five. Not in a vacuum, Patrick Mahomes would remain No. 1 for the foreseeable future and so on. He hasn't been in the top spot for some weeks now, given his torn ACL and others playing better ahead of him. However, that isn't set in stone, and he could rise back to the top of the board as the 2026 season progresses. He made some steps forward this week.

So where do the league's biggest names line up entering the ninth week of the regular season? Enjoy the Week 9 edition of the 2026 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings:

NFL QB rankings: Familiar name back at No. 1, Cam Ward out of basement Garrett Podell 14 min read

Could NFC North be first modern division with four playoff teams? Zachary Pereles 4 min read

Prisco's NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: Bills on top, Steelers climbing Pete Prisco 1 min read

Wilson mock draft: Five quarterbacks land in Round 1

Ryan Wilson 2 min read

Jeremiyah Love heading to IR with high-ankle sprain

Bryan DeArdo 1 min read

Ravens turn to undrafted rookie after QB room is decimated Tyler Sullivan 2 min read

Report: Giants ink Greg Newsome to three-year, $46 million extension Tyler Sullivan 1 min read

2026 NFL trade deadline tracker: Bears all-in, Colts enter rebuild Carter Bahns 8 min read

Six lessons from Week 8: The Bears have arrived

Zachary Pereles 9 min read

Jerry Jones wants pay coaches his way, even if his way keeps failing Jared Dubin 3 min read